US women beat Denmark 2-0 in Algarve Cup

LAGOS, Portugal – Tina DiMartino scored her first international goal Wednesday to help the defending champion United States beat Denmark 2-0 in the Algarve Cup.

The 22-year-old forward, making only her second international appearance, poked in the ball from short range in the 35th minute after Natasha Kai's header rebounded off the post.

Angie Woznuk scored the first goal for the Americans in the 22nd minute. She controlled a cross and sent the ball into the top right corner of the net.

The United States beat Denmark in the invitational tournament's last two finals and has won the title six times in the past eight years.

After an evenly matched opening 20 minutes in wet, blustery conditions in southern Portugal, the Americans grew dominant while the Danes counterattacked.

Goalie Hope Solo made a string of tough saves, including two from Johanna Rasmussen in a 10-minute span.

"After 20 minutes everyone in midfield became involved, creating plenty of forward movement," United States coach Pia Sundhage said. "Everyone seemed fit and ready to go."

Later Wednesday, four-time champion Norway was to play Iceland in the other Group B match. In Group A, two-time world champion Germany was up against Finland and two-time Algarve winner China met Sweden.

The winners of each group will meet in the final March 11.







Harnik